Splicing machine



June 14, 1960 BUTLER, JR 2,940,507

SPLICING MACHINE Filed. Feb. 6, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

June 14, 1960 BUTLER, JR 2,940,507

SPLICING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 14, 1960 R. A.BUTLER, JR 2,940,507

SPLICING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 f2 fl @445 Fig .7

' INVENTOR.

United States Patent "O SPLICING MACHINE Richard A. Butler, Jr., PalmerRoad, Monson, Mass.

Filed Feb. 6, 1957, Ser. No. 638,613

1 Claim. (Cl. 154-423) My invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in a splicing machine and is directed more particularly toimprovements in the means for preparing a web roll for splicing to a webrunning to a packaging machine, printing machine, box-making machine, orsimilar web consuming machine, and to the means for the making of thesplice to the roll when thus prepared.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide a novel andimproved construction of the type in which a web-renewing mechanism isemployed for use in the supply of webs to a web-consuming machinewherein provision is made to enable the web-supply to be maintainedwithout stopping the machine by arranging a replacement web-roll and therunning web to engage and adhere to one another so that the web of thereplacement roll commences to be drawn from the roll at which time therunning and expiring web is severed or depleted, all of which eliminatesobjectionable inconveniences now present in the known prior art devicesand which will operate with a maximum amount of ease and with a minimumdegree of efiort.

One of the primary purposes ofmy invention is to provide structural andoperational improvements in 'devices of the class to which reference hasbeen made, which improvement-s not only simplify the structure as such,but also provide important distinct advanta es in strength, durability,elficiency and the like. I

Stated otherwise, herein as a mechanism iforrautomatically splicing theleading end ofone roll of webio the trailing end of a diminishing or anexhausted web supply as applicable for use in conjunction withweb-consuming machines in such manner as to eliminate the necessity Thepaper or other flexible web which is fed to print- I ing presses orother web-consuming apparatus runs from web rolls which must be replacedperiodically as they are consumed.

Successful operation of web-consuming machines depends in large measureon the maintenance of a continuous supply of paper thereto.

This invention envisions a high speed web roll replacement involvingapparatus in which the web 'of a new or reserve roll bearing a layer ofadhesive at its leading end is brought to a position adjacent the web.of a running roll running to the web-consuming apparatus. The leadingend of the fresh roll web is then spliced to the running web whichthereafter runs out or expires.

The fresh and running web rolls are rotatably carried by movablesupports, such as the spider arms of;a.multiarmed reel which arerotatable to bring successive fres rolls to the splicing position.

. Itincludes means for-effecting a-splice-of'the leading end of thepaper on the new or reserve roll to therunning web as the running webroll is about to expire so thatpa'pe'r supply to the web-consumingmachine is funinterrupted.

Herein, the mechanism is provided with a-sensing device whichautomatically sets the, mechanism in motion as the trailing end of thediminishing roll from which the web is being fed passesjtherepast so asto make unnecessary manual intervention to accomplish the desiredresults.

Herein, a pair of spiders is employed, same having three roll positions,one for a running roll from which the web is drawn, a second for areplacement roll the Web of which is joined as described to the webpassing from the running roll, and the third for a freshly loaded roll,the various rolls successively being brought into loading, replacementand running positions.

The spiders includes a plurality of angularly spaced arms for receivingthe ends of the core shafts projecting from the rolls for thesupportthereof relative thereto.

These arms are arranged in such spaced relation that when one setof armsis in substantially upright unwinding position to support the rolltherein for unwinding, the next successive set of arms is in generallyhorizontal positionto receive a fullreplenishing roll, and the nextsuccessive set ofjarrns is in the unloading position for theautornaticrelease of the core shaft of the exhausted roll.

Other prime objects of my-invention include; first, 'the securernent ofa higher degree of accuracy aiid greater degree of variety in the mannerof work performed therewith than has heretofore been possible with prior"device's known in the art; second, the a tainmemiera higher speed ofconstruction [and assembly-of the device due to its simplification ofdesign; third, the attainment of a flexibility or a capability ofadjustment by which a large variety of work can be producedgby means ofthe same device; fourth, the achievement of a greater ease in adjustmentand repairs; .fifth, the provisions .of a-cons'tructionwhich-may bereadily installed with respect to the various purposes for which it isintended, and sixth, the provision of such other improvements in andrelating to splicing apparatus of, the typeabove referred to as arehereinafter described-and claimed.

the above primary objects in view, it is, still. another object of myinvention to provide a construction of the above described character inwhich the number of operating parts is greatly reduced and which iscompact injaccordance with the demands and desires of manufacturers andpurchasers alike and which is not only distinctive in its appearance andpractical in itsvaluebut also reliable in its operation and eflicient inits use.

It is still a further object to provide a device which is constructed ofrelatively simple parts which are. adapted to be readily assembled andwhich when once assembled are positively and securely retained inoperative relationship and which cannot be readilyseparated from eachother, either accidentally or otherwise.

In the accompanying drawing, I have illustrated a complete example of aphysical embodiment of the inventioh in which the parts are combined andarranged in accordance with one mode which I have devised for thepractical application of the principles of the invention. It will beunderstood however that changes-and alterations are contemplated andmaybe .made in these exemplifying drawings and mechanical structures,within the scope of the claims, without departing from the principles ofthe invention. Y

In-the drawings:

. Fig. 1' is a vertical sectional elevational view, more or lessdiagrammatic, through the machine of the .invention :10showrtherelationship of the important features thereof;

' of Fig.- ,6;..and

Fig.2 'is a sectional elevatio a1 view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 6; v

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view on the line 3-3 gf; i" I h j 1Fig. 4-,is a front elevational view of theweb cutting; device of themachine. w f f.

Fig.5 is asectional elevational view on the line 5- -5 of.Fig.4; H r I 1Figtois a front'elevational view of the machine of the invention; J r fv Fig. 7 is a sectional elevational view onthe line 7--7. of Fig. 6;Fig.8. is a sectionalplan view on the line 88 of Fig'.-7;..

Fig. 9 .is' a 'sectional .plan'fview on the line 99 of Fig. 7

Fig. 10 is a fse ctional planf-view on the line 10-10 Fig. ll'is'asectional elevational view onthe line 11-11 Qf Fig.6. l H l Inthefollowing description and claims, various details will beidentifiedby specific names for convenience. These names however are intended tobe as generic in their, application as the art will permit.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail, in which similar charactersof, reference indicate corresponding parts'in thesjeveral figuresandreferring more particularly 1Transverse1y spacedsideframes, such as2, are connectedby an upper member 4, and a lower floor member 6.Members 4 and 6 are secured at opposite ends to the walls 8 of theframes, as by rivets, weldments, or the The frames have inwardly turnedflanges 10 on the formerly occupied by the arms 23 and the empty arbor30 of the now exhausted roll is free to drop away from the arms and ontothe wall member 6, it being appreciated that no clamps or the like areemployed in connection with the arms so as tohoId-the arbors relative tothe arms.

; The arms 23 may now be called empty.

' the preferrediform'of my invention selected for illus- The arbor ofanew roll of web material meanwhile has been placed in the sockets ofthe arms 25 which by now has assumed the position formerly occupied bythe arms 22 preparatory to the assumption of the replenishingfunction-by the-roll '32 thereof,

e leading end of the "eb of the 'new roll is' first prepared for use bymanually bringing same up to the transverse member 4 which may beidentified as a preparation table. Atsaid table, the endof the web ispre pared by mechanism associated therewith for subsequent releasableattachment to T the applicator whereby the leading end may be eventuallysecured to the trailing end of a web being'fedthrough the feed rolls. 7T Webs of material such as paper used in' wrapping machines aresometimes printed or are otherwise provided with panels of indiciawhichare so arranged that when wrapped around object orflarticle. the printedmatter or the panels. fit the object in a predetermined manner so thatthe printed matter. or' the panels register with the sides of theobject. Accordingly the webs have printed matter or. panelsspaced-longitudinally thereof in such 'frontQrear and upperedgesthereof. The forward side =orjfront of the machine is indicated byF.

An upper. rock shaft or transfer arm shaft 12 is oscillatablein bearingssecured to the walls 8 ofthe frames 2, as are an upper, feed or pullroll shaft "14 having an upp er feed or pull roll 16 and a lower feed orpull roll "shaft 181havinga lower feed or pull roll 20.

The lower'shaft 18 is driven from the web consuming machine, such as awrapping machine which uses the web of wrapping material fed thereto bythe machine hereof. A pair of spiders, each having a plurality ofangularly 'spaced arms or paper reel carriages 22, 23 and 25 which arefixed to a carriage shaft 24 having its opposite ends =journalled insuitable hearings in the walls 8 of the side frames2.-

f Outer ends of the arms 22, 23 and 25 are provided with sockets 26, asshown to receive and support oppo site ends. of arbors'28 and 30 ofrolls of web material such as wrapping paper.

v The web W from the roll on the arbor 30 is shown as extending upwardlyfrom the arms 23 to the bite of the feed rolls 16 and 20. From the feedrolls, the web W passes to the web consuming machine in the directionindicatedby the arrow b. Such web W is identified herein asthe runningweb roll.

The web W from roll 32 thereof on arbor 28 extends to an applicator ortransfer device which is generally indicated by the letter A. Saidapplicator functions as a web delivery device which is swingablebetweena non-operative position when it supports the leading edge of theweb W in a ready-to-splice manner to an operative position 'where itsecures the leading edge of'the web W to the trailing end of the web W.1 1

; jT s the final end of theweb W arrives at the feed rolls of the saidleading edge of thenew web is applied by theapplicator in substantialregister with a panel at the a manner that they are of a width tocorrespond with the width of the sides of the object or article beingwrapped. According to this invention, the panels of the leading edge ofthe web of the new or replenishing roll register with or, matchthepanels of the final end of the old or' exhausted web being fedfromthe machine. The web W extends through a sensing and paper tensionmeans generally indicated by the letter S which con trols the operationof the applicator A.

By preparing the leading edge of the new or replenishing web in acertain way, subsequently to be described,

and by driving .the machine hereof from the web-consuming machine and intimed relation therewith, the panel end of the web about to becomeexhausted. The applicator is actuated into operating position as thetrailing end of the web W passes through and past the sensing mechanism.

' Opposite ends of therock shaft 12 are journalled in bearings, such as12', fixed to the walls 8 of the side frames, as will be observed byreference to Fig. 8.

Likewise roll shafts 14 and 18 are rotatable in bearings 14 and 18respectively fixed to the walls 8. See Figs.

9 and .10, V The shaft 18 is the driven shaft and has fixed thereto asprocket 40, as shown in Fig. 6, for connection by a chain to theweb-consuming machine to be supplied with the web material by themachine hereof.

The shaft '24 is journalled at opposite ends in suitable bearings of theside frames 2 and has a worm wheel or carriage worm gear 42 fixed to oneend thereof. See Fig. 3. V f

i A carriage worm drive shaft 44, rotatable in a bearing 46 fixed to theadjacent side frame has a worm or carriage worm pinion fixed theretowhich is in mesh with the worm 'A hand wheel so fixed to the outer thanthe shaft 44 facilitates the rotation of the shaft 24 and thecounterclockwise movement of the arms 22, 23 and 25. See Figs.

3 and 6. 7 V

amazon Tension arms 52' are loosely-mountedon rock shaft-12 and havenon-rotatable tension rolls on thelower depend-.. ing ends thereof forfrictionally engaging-thewebbemg:

fed through the feed rolls 16 and 20. See:Fig.. 11;

The rolls 54 may be of rubber,- material adapted to keep the wehtaut:

Pins 56 extend outwardly: from the arms 52a Other pins 58 extendoutwardlyfrom tension:wllars 601 fixedi to the rock shaft 12; Said pin's56 andr8 areconnected by tension springs 61 andfunctioneto tensionctheadacent arm 52 and .to provide the-desired drag on theweb.

The applicator A includes "an elongated lowentransfen' tolower ends ofrelatively spaced 63: which" are'secured to the rock bar or plate 62secured levers or transfer arms shaft 12.

An elongated presser ortransfe'r cushion-odwhich'may he formed froma'resilient material such as rubber-ortholike and is secured'to thebar62 by an upper transfer bar orplate 66.

New web support pins 68 are secured to opposite ends of the bar 62 andextend upwardly therefrom as best shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 11.

A spring return arm 70 is fixed to one end of the rock shaft, as shownin Fig. 6, and a spring 72 hasone end thereof attached thereto. Theopposite end of the spring 72 is attached to an anchor 74 of the frame,as will be observed by reference to Fig. 11. This springfunctions toyieldingly hold the applicator A away 'fromthe roll 20 in the nonoperative position substantiallyas-shown in Figs. 2 and 11.

The leading end of the new web W is represented by 76 in Fig. 2. Acrossthefree edge of the same is secured an adhesive material such asadhesive tape T of suitable type.

Opposite ends of the tapeT are caught on the pins 66-so that the end 76of the Web W is supported by the applicator A. The side T of the tapeadjacent the roll 20 and the portion extending upwardly beyond the end76 of the web is tacky.

As the rock shaft 12 is swung clockwise, the pad 64 of the applicatorpresses the tape T against the web W hearing on the roll 20.

Thus the leading end of the web W is attached to the web W and thepanels of the webs are related, as desired.

The applicator is operated as the last end of the web W passes throughthe sensing mechanism S which operates to bring about this movement ofthe applicator.

The sensing device includes a pair of parallel, vertically spaced,transversely extending rear sensing rods or arms having their inner endsfixed in a member '82 which is secured to the wall '8 of the adjacentside frame. See Fig. 6.

An elongated tubular, vertically disposed timing shaft 84 isreciprocable and oscillatable in bearings 86 which are fixed to anadjacent side frame, as may be observed by reference to Figs. 7 toinclusive.

A detector or forward sensing rod Or arm 88 has an inner end which isadjustably secured along a vertically extending slot 90 in the shaft Theshaft 84 is urged in a clockwise direction, as shown by arrow a in Fig.10, by a spring '92 having opposite ends attached to anchors '94 and 96of the shaft 84 and the wall 8 of the adjacent side frame respectively.

Normally the web W being fed by the rolls 16 and '20 passes through thespace between the pair of rear sensing rods 80 and 80 and the forwardsensing rod 88, as will be observed by reference to Fig. l. The web Wprevents counterclockwise movement of the rod 88 between the spaced rods89. The rod 8 8 is swung to a position in juxtaposition with the frontside of the web W and functions to provide a tension thereagainst.

As the trailing end of the web W passes upwardly past the rods, spring92 functions to turn shaft 84 in the direction of arrow a shown in Fig.10 so that member 88 passes metal,-or other: suitable;

. 98 and alower (33111110111003.

A timin'greturns'pringwyis disposed around the; shaft-: 84 between theupper bearing 86..and the head; 96',- and: functions 1 to. resist .the.downward movement of: the: shaft from the normal positiomshown-in- Fig;7 and toreturn; theshaft to saidnormal position when-releasedmswill be:shortly observed:

A timing cam 102-is-fixed toilthe uppenroll shaft 14 for engaging thecam roll"100iof the.head961soas to depress thehead and the shaftdownwardly;

A transfer arm follower or lever-104 isfixed'to' the rock shaft: 12 andhas a transfer'armfollower cam roll 106 pivoted thereto, as shown;

As :the head-396' is depressed downwardly the nose-97 thereof functionsto earn the roll 106 as will be observed;

With web W disposedforwardly of the-pair of rear sensingrods and -80-andrearwardly of'the forward sensing rod 88, the shaft 84 and the-head 96are disposed in the position shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. The upper por--tion of thehead 96. is disposed at'a side-of the-cam 102 and the lever1G4. on angularlyrelative thereto. In said position, the head 96 is notengagedby the cam 102 as it rotates with the shaft 14;

As the final end of. the web'W passesupwardly past thesensing rods, rod88 is released by said web whereby spring: member 92 actuates shaft d-iin' a rotary manner so that roll 1000f the-head '96 is swung toand-through aposi-i tion inver-tical alignment with the cam 101..which-.issimultaneously being rotatedclockwise.

Cam 102 engages the: roll 1% so'asto cam-thehead 96: and the shaft8'4..downwardlyv against the action of =the spring 99.

As the head is turned as above referred to, the ledge 98 thereofoverlies roll 106 of lever 104 fixed to the rock shaft 12.

As the head is depressed as aforesaid, the ledge 98 engages the roll 106and earns it so as to actuate the lever 104 and in turn to rotate therock shaft 12 and to swing it through such an angle as moves theapplicator A inwardly toward the feed roll 20.

With the tape T attached to the end of the web W, samev is pressedagainst the web W so as to secure the leading edge of the web W to theweb W.

In such operation, the tape slips off frornthe pins 68 or is rupturedthereby so as to be released therefrom.

The earn 102 quickly impacts the roll of the head I 96, and the spring92 continues to turn the head to a position beyond and alignment of thecam and roll.

Thereafter the shaft 84 or the head 96' are manually grasped for turningcounterclockwise, and the web W is looped outwardly to allow the rod 88to be swung therepast so as to again be disposed on the outer side ofthe web. The head. or shaft is then released and the rod rides on theouter side of the web which is backed up by the rods 80.

Means for preparing the leading end of a new web, for its attachment tothe trailing end of the web being fed, will now be described, withparticular reference being made to Figs. 4 and 5.

Longitudinally spaced brackets 110 are secured to and depend from thetransverse member 2. Upper and lower guide rods 112 extend between saidbrackets and have opposite ends secured thereto.

A slide 113 is slidable on said rods and a spring 114 is connected toanchors 116 and 118 of the slide and wall 8 of the right hand framerespectively. A knife 120 is secured to the slide 113 and has a slittingedge 122. A manually engageable member 124 is carried by the knife 120.

Spring clips 126 have outer ends secured to the upper side of the member4, as by screws or the like, and are formed at their adjacent inner endsto receive thereunder.-" oppositesideportionsof the leading end of a newweb;

soas t'o'hold the end of-the webton the member 4. V

The end ofth'einew w ebmay be shifted so that it .will: betrimmedsquarely by the'kniie sas it isimovedto'the; right, and will betrimmedin the desiredrrelation-t'o the en'dmost panel of the old web. IA suppo'rt 128 is fixed to and extendsupwardly from; the transversemember4 and carries a spindle 130- fore the corei132 of a -roll ofadhesive tape:134.wA plate 131 on the spindle '130 holds the core inplace.

The endof the tape is drawn .under a roll 136 of the support and totheright for the desired length.'- A knife? 138 is provided forcuttingthe tape when the desired lengthhas-been'drawnfrom the roll.The'tapeis applied to the edge of the web at its end,

while the web is held by the'clips, so that approximately.

V the object of the inventionrmaybe attained by use of constructionsdiiferent in certain respects from those'dis-.

closed without departing from the underlyingprinciples ofvthe invention.7 7 V 7 Without further analysis, the foregoingis intended .to

, sofully reveal the gistrof my invention that others can, 7 by applyingcurrent knowledge, readilyadapt it for various applications withoutomitting features which, from "the standpoint; of prior art, fairlyconstitute essential characteristics of the genericror spec'ific'aspectsof this a range of equivalencerof the claims below.) I

I I thereforedesire by the followingclaims to include; 5

invention, and therefore,psuch adaptations should and-are meaning 7 and;

intended to be comprehended 7 within; the

withinthe.scope,'of:,my inventions allisuch; variations andmodifications by which substantiallyithe;results of'my. I invntionfmaybe obtained through thense; of substantially. the same-or, equivalentm e1 Having thus described my, invention, what, 'I v claim is:

.A machineof the class described for feeding a continu; ous web ofmaterial to a web-consuming machines from successivev rolls :of webmaterial comprising in combination, a supporting structure, reel meansfor supportin separate rolls ,of 'web material, continuously driven andcooperating feed rolls for feeding a continuous web from one rollsupported-by saidreel'means, an applicator re leasablyih'olding theleading end of another 'web from a roll supported by saidreel means andbeing movable between a non-operative positionaway from and, anoperative position adjacent thetrailing end of the web of said one roll,a resilient pad operatively associated with said applicator and pinsthereon on oppositeends thereof'for releasably supporting a length ofadhesive tape attached to the transverse leading edge of a web ofmaterial, sensing mechanism through which a web from said one .roll toapply the leading end of the web to the trailing end-of a web beingfedby said feed rolls, actuating means for said, applicator, andconnections between said actuatingmelansand sensing mechanism wherebythe former is under control of the latter.

T ReferencesCited in the file this patent, 1

' UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,540,831 Moos VJune 9, 1925 Maw

